Tom Joyner

Thomas "Tom" Joyner (born November 23, 1949) is an American radio host, host of the nationally syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and also founder of REACH Media Inc., the Tom Joyner Foundation, and BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Early life

Joyner was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, the son of Frances and Hercules L. Joyner. Tom came from an educated family: his grandfather Oscar was one of only 3,000 black physicians in the United States, earning a degree in medicine in 1909. Both of his parents were graduates of historically black colleges, and both Tom and his brother Albert attended Tuskegee Institute, now known as Tuskegee University. Tom Joyner graduated with a degree in sociology. While a student at Tuskegee, Joyner joined the fraternity Omega Psi Phi. At first, his goal was to be a musician, and he joined a band, The Commodores, that included his college friend Lionel Richie, but the band did not make any money and his family encouraged him to seek another way to make a living.

Tom Joyner (writer)

Tom Joyner is a writer and academic.

Joyner received his B.A. in English from Rollins College and his M.A. and Ph.D. (both in Theater) from the University of Colorado in Boulder. His research foci included 20th Century Irish drama, post-colonial theaters, and theaters of social justice.

He has worked as a performer, dramaturg, educational outreach writer, and director with university, community, and professional theaters in Florida and Colorado and was part of the inaugural class for Naropa University's Actor-created Physical Theater program.

Joyner, Tom Filmography

Famous quotes by Tom Joyner:

"I was working for a competing radio station in Chicago when he asked me what I wanted to do in radio. My response was I wanted to get out. I had my eye on television. And he told me if I would come work for him and make his morning show No. 11, he would give me a shot at television. We kept our promises to each other. After our ratings went to No. 1, he gave me the Ebony/Jet Showcase,"

"but the station also made several other changes around that time, including its music mix, so it was a combination of factors."

"It's just unbelievable that a talent so young and so promising is gone,"

"It's a great thing. Back in the day it was the youth that marched for the vote. I represent the old school, and [this march] takes it back to the old school."

"Hurricane Katrina hit the heart and soul of Black America, ... This is our Tsunami and we want to take care of those people who now may have family or friends who are going to be in their homes for an extended period of time. We know it's hard and we want to make it a little easier on everybody."

"We take five, one-week vacations a year, and those dates are set in stone."

"The NAACP was even considering earlier this summer reassessing their position on school integration."